Widener for use in saw kerfs of timber



Feb. 13, 1951 c. e. SWANT 'ETAL WIDENER FOR USE IN SAW KERFS OF TIMBER Filed June 27, 1949 I13 [2 lo INVENTOR!) CLYDE 3. SWANT JOHN A. MORIGEAU A1, M f@ ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 13, 1951 HDENER 'FORUSSE IN SAW KERFS OF TIMBER 'Clyde G. Swant and John A..Morigeau, Arlee,'Mont.

Application June 27 1949, Serial No. 101,576

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in accessories employed by lumbermen in felling trees and cutting up logs.

In felling trees it is common practice to use a saw, either manually or mechanically operated and, as the sawing through of the trunk progresses, the weight of the tree above the saw and above the kerf or cut made by the latter generally causes the saw to bind in the cut. .Expedien-ts employed to hold the cut ope so that sawing may be continued are wooden-and metal wedges, for example, but these have been found undesirable and unsatisfactory. For instance, in employing wedges, it is necessary that the out extend into the trunk a distance suiiicient for the wedge to enter the out far enough to spread the cut and yet not interfere with the saw. In other cases, where metal wedges are employed in conjunction with mechanically-operated saws, the former are sometimes driven into the out so far and with force enough to break or damage the saw and cause metail ic splinters to be projected from the out. In still other cases, the driven wedge will be accidently forced out of or sprin from the cut by the weight of the tree upon it.

An important object of this invention is the provision of a lumbermans accessory in felling trees, splitting logs and similar operations, which accessory may be employed after the cut is but a few inches deep beyond the back of the saw or saw frame.

Another important object is to provide an .accessory of this kind which will not interfere .in any way with the operations of the saw, will not damage the saw or saw frame and will not be apt to be forced accidently from a .cult.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a sturdy and powerful device for holding open a cut in a tree or log.

Another object is to provide a device which is primarily employed as stated but may also be employed in expediting and directing the fall of a cut into tree or the like.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and in which drawing Fig. 1 is a view mostly a side elevation of the new device, showing the position of parts when the device is being operated.

vFig. 2 is a view largely'in :end elevation, being the end to the right in Fig. 1. Y I

Fig. 3 is a view along the lines of Fig. 1 but illustrating a subsequent step in the operation of thenew device.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section, substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 3 showing the device inserted into a kerf.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section, substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. .3.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the new device, which may be termed a cut or ,kerf Widener for cuts or kerfs in tree trunks and the like. is shown to comprise a base portion A, standard B, movable (reciprocating) tongue-carrying portion C, tongue D, means E for moving .or reciprocating the portion C carrying the tongue D, with reference to the base portion A, means F for limiting the extent of movement of the portion C and tongue D, a fixed handle or hand hold G, and a removable handle H.

The base portion A is, preferably a fiat plate, having a substantially straight edge 10,, which faces the base of the out or cleft when the device is inserted into the cut or cleft, a substantially flat upper face H and a like lower face I2, with a centrally disposed opening as a recess 13 extending from the edge Ill toward the opposite or outer edge l4 and from face I! to face 12. Proferably the closed end or base of the recess may be arcuate, with the wall of the closed end convex, whereby a semi-cylindrical section 15 of the base portion is provided. There is, preferably, a pair of pivot pin-accommodating sections, as a pair of ears l6, forming a part of the base portion A and projecting upwardly therefrom from lines extending radially from the axis of the semi-cylindrical portion 15 and with the ears I6 substantially apart. The ears l 6 carry pivot pin-accommodating perforations with their axes substantially normal to the plane of the edges It. The sections of the base portion A beyond these ears it to the edge it! may be termed the cut-inserted sections of the new device.

Secured to the base portion A is a suitable elongated standard or upright B which is, preferably, a tube having a stop-accommodating, screw-threaded perforation 29 intermediate its ends. The standard B may be welded to the base portion A at the section l5 so the former will extend substantially vertically therefrom at the base of the recess I3. Preferably, the outer face 21 of the standard B is smooth.

Slidable vertically along the standard B is a suitable movable tongue-carrying portion C, which may be an elongated tube, having a longitudinally-extending stop-accommodating slot 215 intermediate its ends, and two pairs .of pivot pin-accommodating sections, as pairs of cars .25,

extending outwardly from, preferably, its upper end part. Each ear of each pair of cars :26 is spaced apart from its associated ear, whereby an opening 2! is provided and each ear has a pivot pin-accommodating perforation, with the perforations of each pair axially aligned. The openings 2'; are disposed substantially 180 apart.

Carried at the lower end of the portion C, and normally disposed within the recess I3, is a tongue D, which is preferably the same thickness as that of the base portion A and extends to the edge It of the base portion A and has a substantially straight edge 39, the plane of which preferably coincides with the plane of the edge It. This tongue D may be welded to the portion C, as along the lower edge of the latter. The tongue D may be termed another cut-inserted section of the new device. It has an upper face 28 and lower face 29 similar to the faces H and I2. 7

Means E for moving (as elevating and lowering) the portion C carrying the tongue D may include a pair of socketed rocker arms 35 pivotally carried, as by pivot pins 39, at their lower end portions by the ears [6, since the rocker arms are bifurcated at their lower end portions so as to slidably and rockably fit over the cars 16. Each arm has an open opposite end providing a mouth for its socket, and carries an exteriorly screw threaded projection or shank portion 31 terminating in a bifurcated head 38 provided with a pair of axially-aligned pivot pin-accommodating perforations, operatively disposed with the axes of the perforations in parallelism and in parallelism with the perforations of the ears I6. The screw-threaded shank portions 31 are slidable within the sockets of the rocker arms and extend outwardly thereof. Pivotally carried by each head 38 is an L-shaped lever 39 with the pivotal connection intermediate the upper arm 40 and lower arm 4! of the lever. The pivotal connections may be conventional, cotter pin-retained pivot pins 42. Each arm 40 is provided with a pivot pin-accommodating perforation adjacent its free end, through which extends a suitable pivot pin 43 to pivotally connect the levers 38 to the ears 26 of the portion C. Extending from intermediate the ends of the lower arm 4| to the upper end of the arm 40 is a dual-function stop portion 44. This may be a rod, bent or otherwise fashioned to form an obtuse angle, and. with its upper end face 45 constructed and arranged to engage the outer face of the portion C when the lever 39 carrying the stop portion 44 is rocked to a position with the lever arm 4| at its highest rocked position (as the right-hand lever 39 in Figure 1). The juncture of the stop portion 44 and arm 4| constitutes a stop for a suitable handle G to be described. Suitable adjustable stop means 46 are provided for each screw threaded shank portion 3'? and each preferably comprises a nut with its threads engaging those of the shank portion and its lower face adapted to abut the upper end edge of its associated rocker arm. To limit movement of the rocker arms 35 toward the portion C, the lever arms 49 contact the bights 4'! of the bifurcated heads 38 as i clear in Figure 1.

Means F for limiting the extent of raising an lowering of the portion C and tongue D may be a suitable screw threaded cylindrical stop screwed into the perforation 2B and extending into the slot 25 to slide therealong upon movements of the portion C and limit the extent of such movemerits when it contacts either end wall of the slot 25.

A suitable fixed handle or hand hold G may be provided, as a U-shaped rod, welded or otherwise secured to the exterior of the portion C and. over laying the edge 14 of the base portion A.

A suitable lhandle H may be provided, having a socketed lower end portion 50 adapted to fit over the free end of either lever arm portion 4l, but will bestopped, so it cannot strike the ears 25 when it is mounted upon the lever arm portion.

The openings 2'! permit the dual-function stop portion to ride therein, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 and, of course, accommodate the upper end sections of the upper lever arm portions 40. They also prevent dead centering of the rocker arms 35 when the face 45 contacts the portion C, as is apparent in Figures 1 and 3, and they additionally brace the lever arms.

With the faces I l and 28 in the same plane (or the face 28 even above the plane of the face H of the cut will permit insertion), the cut-inserted sections of the base portion A and tongue D are inserted into the kerf or cut of a tree trunk or a log, such as in Figure 4, by the lumbermen grasping the handle or hand hold G. If the kerf permits an insertionwith the tongue D raised, the lumber-man should initially manipulate the new device before insertion into the cut, by swinging one lever 39 to a position similar. to that of the right hand lever of Figure 1 (but with the adjustable stop means 46 associated therewith spaced above the upper end of the associated rocker arm 35. He then turns the stop mean 46 until it engages this upper end (as shown in Figure 1) and then swings this lever to the pos tion of the right-hand lever 39 of Figure 3. If this step is accomplished while the cut-inserted sections are within the kerf 55, he employs the handle H, giving himself added leverage.

With the right-hand lever as in Figure 3, he moves the left-hand lever 39 to its position as in Figure 3 threads the stop means 46 associated therewith downwardly and then swings this lever (with use of the handle H) into the position of the right-hand lever of Figure 3. Each movement'to a position like that of the left-hand lever of Figure 1 or right-hand lever of Figure 3 elevates the tongue D and, consequently, widens the kerf 55.when the device is in use. When the out has been completed, so that the tree falls or the pressure of the device in the cut causes it to fall,

the device may be removed and the tongue D lowered to a position so the device may be reemployed by manipulation of the stop means 46' and levers 39 as is now apparent.

We prefer to construct the new device of suitable high-tensile steel, such as chromium alloy steel, but may employ other suitable metals or alloys.

The new device is readily portable, may be carried about by the lumbermen and used on standing timber, logs, Or wherever a kerf or split has been made for insertion of the cut-inserted sections.

Since the device is not a wedge but an expansible device in which expansion of the parts is accomplished, not by jaws, but by a part (the tongue D) moving away from the base portion A in a substantially straight line, there is no tendency for the device to spring from the kerf (as a wedge is apt to do).

From Figure 4 it is now clear that the cut-inserted sections of the new device need be inserted sition or an, inclined position and operate.

efiiciently in any of thesepositions, that; there is, no'need of a maul or the like (as required with a.

wedge) nor. are any blows upon the device necessary in order to operate it.

Various changes may. be, made tov the form. of the invention herein shown and described with: out departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1-. In a tree trunk kerf Widener, a cut-inserted section having a face in contact with one face of the out, a movable cuteinserted'section having a.

faco'in contact with the opposite face of'the cut, means slidably connecting said sections, and means to move said movable section. toward? and. away from the other section with the planes of said faces of said sections substantially-normal at all times to the path of travel of said movable section.

2. In a Widener for a kerf in a tree trunk, a base portion having a cut-inserted section provided with a cut surface-containing face and with an opening; a movable portion having a tongue providing a cut-inserted section, said tongue having a cut surface-contactin face and said tongue be ing normally disposed in said opening, and means movably connected with said portions to selectively move said tongue into and out of said open-. ing in a path substantially normal to said faces.

3. In a Widener for a kerf in a tree trunk, a base portion having a pair of spaced-apart pivot pin-accommodating sections and a cut-inserted section said last section being provided with an opening; a movable portion having a tongue providing a second cut-inserted section, with said tongue being normally accommodated in said opening, said movable portion also provided with a pair of pivot pin-accommodating sections spaced an equal distance from the first-named pivot pin-accommodating sections; means to see lectively move said tongue into and out ofsaid opening, including a pair of rocker arms pivotallycarried by said first pivot pin-accommodating sections at like ends of each arm, a projection carried by, projecting from and slidablelongitudinally of each arm, eachof said projections having a head, a pair of levers, one pivoted to one head and the other pivoted to the other head inter-. mediate the ends of the. levers, with one end of one lever pivoted to one of said second pivot pinaccommodating sections and a like end of the other lever pivoted to the other of said second pivot pin-accommodating sections; and means manually movable along said projections, to ad justed fixed positions to limit sliding movements of said projections with reference to said rocker arms. I

4. In a Widener for a kerf in a tree trunk, av base portion having a pair of spaced-apart pivot pin-accommodating sections and disposed sub= stantially 180 apart, and a cut-inserted section said last section being provided with an opening; a movable portion. having a tongue providing a second cut-inserted section, with said tongue being normally accommodated'in said opening, said movable portion also provided with a pair of pivot pin-accommodating sections spaced an equal distance irom the first-named pivot pinaccommodating sections and disposed substantially 180 apart; means to selectively move said tongue into and out of said-opening, including a pair of rocker arms pivotally carried by said first pivot pin-accommodating sections at like ends of each" arm, a projection carried by, projecting from and slidable longit in lly o iea hann ach of s p ec i ns avin a hea ta pair of; lev rs one pivoted to one head and the other pivoted to the other head intermediate t e ends o the lovers with one. end of; one lever p oted to. one.

of said second pivot pin-accommoda in eefii ns and a. like, end of the oth r le er p voted; t h other of? said second piv n-a mm d in sections; andmeans manually movable along said p je tions to a us e fixed p si on o imit. sliding movements of said projections with reference to said rockerarms.

5-v a ide r or a Ke i. in a r e r nk a base portion having a pair of spaced-apart pivot pin-accommodating sections and disposed sub?v stantially 180 apart, and a cut-inserted section said; last section being provided with an opening; a movable portion havin a tongue providing a second cut-inserted section, with said tongue be ing normally accommodated in said opening, said movable portion also provided with a pair of pivot pin-accommodating sections spaced an equal distance from the first-named pivot pin-accommo. dating sections and disposed substantially 1 apart means to selectively move said tongue into and; out of said opening; including a pair of rocker arms pivotally carried by said first pivot pin-accommodating sections at like ends of each arm, a projection carried by, projecting from and slidable longitudinally of each arm, each of said projectionshaving a head, a pair of levers, onepivoted to one head and the other pivoted to the other head intermediate the ends of the levers, with one end of one lever pivoted to one of said second pivot pin-accommodating sections and a like end of the other lever pivoted to the other of said second pivot pin-accommodating sections; means manually movable along said projections to adjusted fixed positions to limit sliding move,- ments of said projections with reference to said rocker arms; and means to limit movement of said tongue out of said opening.

6. In a Widener for a keri in a tree trunk, a base portion having a pair of spaced-apart. pivot pin-accommodating sections and a cut-inserted section said last section being provded with a recess a movable portion having a tongue pro? viding a second cut-inserted section, with said tongue being normally accommodated in said recess, said movable portion also provided with a pair of pivot pin-accommodating sections spaced an equal distance from the first-named pivot pin-accommodating sections; means to selectively move said tongue into and out of said recess, including a pair of rocker arms pivotally carried by said first pivot pinsacoommodating sections at l ke ends of each arm, a projection carried by, projecting from and slidable longitudinally of each arm, each of said projections having a head, a pair of levers, one pivoted to one head and the other pivoted to the other head intermediate the ends of the levers, with one end of one lever pivoted to one. .of said second pivot pin-accommodating sections and a like end of the ther le r pvotee o t e. er o sa d secon pivo n n ao ommeda ns sections; and means manually movable along said projections to ad: J t e fired posi ions to l mi s idin mo emen s of said projections with reference to said roclger arms.

7.. In a tree trunk kerf Widener, a base portion having a out-inserted secton and a section join and joining said base portion at said second section and at the base of said recess; a movable portion, slidable longitudinally along said standard, having an end adjacent the juncture of the standard and base portion; a tongue carried at the end of said movable portion adjacent said juncture and normally disposed. within said rec'ess, said tongue providing a second cut-inserted section; and means providing a step-by-step movement of said movable portion along said standard.

8. In a tree trunk kerf Widener, a base portion having a cut-inserted section and a section joining said first section with a recess extending into said first section and terminating at said second section; a standard carried by said base portion and joining said base portion at said second section and at the base of said recess; an elongated movable portion, telescopically carried by saidstandard, having an end adjacent the juncture of the standard and base portion; a tongue carried by and projecting normal to said movable portion at the end of said movable portion adjacent said first end, said recess accommodating said tongue and said tongue providing a second cut-inserted section; and means providing a stepby-step movement of said movable portion along said standard.

9. In a Widener for a keri in a tree trunk, a base portion having a pair of spaced-apart pivot pin-accommodating sections and a cut-inserted section said last section being provided with an opening; a movable portion having a tongue providing a second cut-inserted section, with said tongue be ng normally accommodated in said opening, said movable portion also provided with a pair of pivot pin-accommodating sections spaced an equal distance from the first-named pivot pinaccommodating sections; means to selectively move said tongue into and out of said opening, ineluding a pair of 'rocker arms pivota'ly carried by said first pivot pin-accommodating sections at like ends of each arm, a projection carried by, projecting from and slidable longitudinally of each arm, each of said projections having a head, a pair of levers, one pivoted to one head and the other pivoted to the other head intermediate the ends of the levers, with one end of one lever pivoted to one of said second pivot pin-accommodating sections and a like end of the other lever pivoted to the other of said second pivot pin-accommodating sections; means manually movable along said projections to adjusted fixed positions to limit slid ng movements of said projections with reference to said rocker arms; and means to limit movement of'said rocker arms and the other ends of said levers outward'y, comprising a stop portion carried by each lever and having faces with said movable portion beng disposed within the paths of travel of said faces when said rocker arms are rocked outwardly to predetermined positions.

'10. In a Widener for a kerf in a tree trunk, a base portion having a pair of spaced-apart pivot pin-accommodating sections and a cut-inserted section said lastsection being provided with an ope'n'ing;'a movable portion having a tongue providing a second cut-inserted section, with said tongue being normally accommodated in sa d opening, said movable portion also provided with a pair of pivot pin-accommodating sections spaced an equal distance from the first-named pivot pin-accommodating sections; means to selectively move said tongue into and out of said opening, including a pair of rocker arms pivotally carried by said first pivot pin-accommodating sections at like ends of each arm, a projection carried by, projecting from and slidable longitudinally of each arm, each of said projections having a head, a pair of levers, one pivoted to one head and the other pivoted to the other head intermediate the ends of the levers, with one end of one lever pivoted to one of said second pivot pin-accommodating sections and a like end of the other lever pivoted to the other of said second pivot pin-accommodating sections; means manually movable along said projections to adjusted fixed positions to limit sliding movements of said projections with reference to said rocker arms; and means to limit movement of said rocker arms and the other ends of said levers outwardly, comprising a stop portion carried by each lever and having end faces with said mov-- able portion being disposed within the paths of travel of said end faces when said rocker arms are rocked outwardly to predetermined positions.

11. In a Widener for a kerf in a-tree trunk, a base portion having a pair of spaced-apart pivot pin-accommodating sections and a cutinserted section said last section being provided with an opening; a movable portion having a tongue providing a second cut-inserted section, with said tongue being normally accommodated in said opening, said movable portion also provided with a pair of pivot pin-accommodating sections spaced an equal distance from the firstnamed pivot pin-accommodating sections, means to selectively move said tongue into and out of said opening, including a pair of rocker arms pivotally carried by said first pivot pin-accommodating sections at like ends of each arm, a projection carried by, projecting from and slidable longitudinally of each arm, each of said projections having a head, a pair of two-armed, L- shaped levers, one pivoted to one head and the other pivoted to the other head intermediate the ends of the levers, with one end of one lever pivoted to one of said second pivot pin-accommodating sections and a like end of the other lever pivoted to the otherlof said second pivot pin-accommodating sections; means manually movable along said projections to adjusted fixed positions to limit sliding movements of said project ons with reference to said rocker arms and means to limit movement of said rocker arms and the other ends of said levers outwardly and to brace said levers, comprising an elongated portion carried by each lever and having one end REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Croman Jan. 9, 1917 Number 

